“I feel like this day has been coming for a long time,” said Duncan, who now has five career World Cup podium finishes but likely needs one more before the end of January to lock up a spot on Canada’s team for the Sochi Olympics in February.

“There’s definitely been some ups and downs, but I’m elated to finally get this first victory and get this monkey off my back.”

The 31-year-old — originally from London, Ont., now living in Whistler, B.C. — is one of the original members of the Canada skicross team formed at the end of 2007. He led Saturday’s final from start to finish to take top honours in the first of back-to-back World Cup races.

Calgary’s Leman battled back from a tough start to jump into a podium position. He almost snatched second place with a late push at the line.

Serwa, from Kelowna, B.C., continued a fine comeback from injuries with her first podium result of the year. Serwa and Leman all but wrapped up their Olympic berths.

Women’s world champion Fanny Smith took the overall lead with her first win of the season.

Duncan, who previously had one second-place result and three third-place finishes on the World Cup circuit, saw his dream of representing Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games dashed when he suffered a broken collarbone prior to the finals.

“My injuries have never been debilitating. My knee has been healthy — it’s been the shoulder or the collarbone,” Duncan said. “I know what I’m capable of when I’m healthy. I’ve made winning a World Cup my goal ever since I started. I’ve been fully dedicated and to finally get this victory means a ton.”

Leman, who was also third in the season opener in Nakiska, Alta., played his part in a thrilling final, which saw him battle right to the line with Switzerland’s Fiva.

“I had my worst start of the day in the final. I didn’t get as good a pump on the first (feature) and got hung up a bit,” Leman said. “I made some moves at the bottom but got outreached at the line in a photo finish. Fiva — the dude has long arms. The start was huge today. It got me into the final and I have another chance (Sunday).

Montreal’s Chris Del Bosco and Tristan Tafel of Canmore, Alta., were eliminated in their round of 32.

Serwa, completing a strong comeback from knee surgery for the second successive year, won her first two heats and advanced from a dramatic semifinal that was initially led by her teammate and 2012 Crystal Globe winner Marielle Thompson.